The Public Service Commission has sworn in five members of the selection panel for the appointment of a Chairperson and members of the second National Land Commission (NLC).
The Panel will in the next 7 days convene and invite applications from qualified persons for nomination and appointment for the position of the members of NLC.
The advertisement which will be in at least two daily newspapers will close within 21 days in order for the panel to
shortlist, interview and later submit the names of the qualified persons to the president for assent.
Speaking on Tuesday during the inauguration of the panel, the Chairman Public Service Commission, Stephen Kirogo said land issues are very emotive and thus the panel should be diligent in the selection of the team.
“Constitutional offices also carry immense power, and hence holders of such offices need to be selected very meticulously,” he said.
Kirogo further said Kenyans have already experienced the first six years of the first commission that ended in February 2019 and awaiting the next commission which will also serve for a single term of six years.
He confirmed that the commission was ready to support the members of the selection panel, saying they will be free to determine its own procedure, ensure that not more than two-third of the members of the nominees are of the same gender.
Upon appointment of the Chairperson and members of the NLC, Kirogo said the panel will stand to be dissolved.
The five panelists are Kennedy Kihara, Nominee from office of the President, Esther Omulele, from the Ministry of Lands , Mairura Omwenga from Kenya Private Sector alliance (KEPSA), Stephen Oundo from Association of Professional Societies of East Africa (APSEA) and Priscilla Nyokabi from National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) Nominee.
Representing the selection panel, Kennedy Kihara thanked the PSC and the president for the confidence, saying they will ensure they exercise due diligence during their selection.
“We will pick the best among those that will show interest and ensure we follow the constitution and are elaborate,’’ he said.
Kihara called upon Kenyans who are honest and able to work to come forward and apply for the jobs.
The Land Principal Secretary, Dr. Nicholas Muraguri said there have been lessons learnt in the first commission and hoped that the new team will facilitate National and County governments under the big four agenda promise to secure land rights for all.
The President on April 26 through a gazette notice No. 3758 identified the five representatives to be members of the selection panel to embark on the selection of the second land commission that will after considering applications, shortlisting qualified applicants and conducting interviews publish names of the selected and forward the names of qualified persons of two chairpersons and 16 members to the President .
The National Land Commission of Kenya is an independent government commission whose establishment was provided for by the Constitution of Kenya to manage public land on behalf of the national and county governments, initiate investigations into present or historical land injustices and recommend appropriate redress
The Commission further monitors and has oversight responsibilities over land use planning throughout the country.
The current acting CEO of the commission is Director Human Resource, Kabale Tache Arero.
By Wangari Ndirangu
